Iran holds prototype design competition for nano-based products

The \'prototype design\' competition participated by university students and professors, knowledge-based companies, research centers and organizations working on nanotechnology was held in Iran early September. The event was intended to present the potentials and capabilities of the participants to the investors and industrialist to create investment opportunities. Among the 68 proposals submitted for the competition, 24 were capable of being presented to the referee committee. Taking into consideration several factors, including the commercialization ease and technological level, the referee committee announced 12 proposed projects as winners. The mentioned winning projects are as follows: 1- Fabrication of aerogel blankets (insulated blankets) 2- Synthesis of nanobacteriocins 3- Formulation of a super durable concrete based on nanotechnology 4- Nanotechnology based packaging technologies which improve fruit preservation 5- A fine coating device comprising arc discharge 6- Nano titanium water and waste water treatment skid mounted package 7- Industrial water and wastewater treatment systems based on nanofiltration membranes 8- Breathing masks based on nano fibers technology 9- Graphene-based detectors for IR and millimetric wavelengths 10- Flexible and foldable electronic circuits based on graphene layers and paper substrates 11- Synthesis of solar cells based on nanoparticles 12- Fabrication of nano composites improved by nano silica fibers and particles for dental care In addition to financial rewards, free nanotechnology lab services were also granted to each selected project. Interested individuals, particularly investors and industrial partners, are welcomed to visit these projects and contact their inventors/scientist in person at the “innovative schemes” section of the Iran Nano 2013 exhibition to be held from October 5 to 9, 2013.